Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation of the impulse delivering from laser-produced plasma to solid target

A plasma is produced in air by using a high-intensity Q-switch Nd:YAGpulsed laser to irradiate a solid target, and the impulses deliveringfrom the plasma to the target are measured at different laser powerdensities. Analysing the formation process of laser plasma and thelaser supported detonation wave (LSDW) and using fluid mechanicstheory and Pirri's methods, an approximately theoretical solution ofthe impulse delivering from the plasma to the target under ourexperimental condition is found. Furthermore, according to theformation time of plasma and the variation of pressure in plasma in anon-equilibrium state, a physical model of the interaction betweenthe pulse laser and the solid target is developed. The plasmaevolutions with time during and after the laser pulse irradiating thetarget are simulated numerically by using a three-dimensionaldifference scheme. And the numerical solutions of the impulsedelivering from the plasma to the target are obtained. A comparisonamong the theoretical, numerical and experimental results and theiranalyses are performed. The experimental results are explainedreasonably. The consistency between numerical results andexperimental results implies that the numerical calculation modelused in this paper can well describe the mechanical action of thelaser on the target.